MULTI-MODE LUMINAIRE AND MULTI-DISTRIBUTION LENS
A multi-mode luminaire includes at least two opposed apertures for distributing light from two light members in an upwardly and downwardly direction. A heat transfer member disposed within the luminaire and between the light members functions as a mounting surface and heat sink for one of the light members and as an optical surface for redirecting light from the second light member. The opticalsurface allows the second light member to face internally and substantially away froman aperture viewed by a user, while light from the second light member is directed through the aperture and toward the user, below a cut-off angle. A switch disposed on the luminaire housing is configured for modulating a plurality of settings for the light members wherein the control circuit is configured to control the light output as a function of the switch and an operative source disposed in communication with the control unit. A further luminaire includes a single homogenous component lens wherein first and second halves of the lens are selected for manipulating the light distribution of the luminaire. The various configurations of the lens profile, achieve a particular light distribution, dependent on the lens material.
The disclosure relates to a multi-mode luminaire having at least two opposed apertures for distributing light. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a luminaire having an uplight and downlight aperture and at least two light members separated by a heat transfer member wherein the heat transfer member provides for the support of a first light member of the luminaire and provides for the redirection of light emitted by a second light member of the luminaire.
This disclosure also relates to lenses used for manipulating the light distribution of a luminaire. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a co-extruded polymeric refractive lens profile wherein the lighting performance of the lens is varied depending on the combination of lens material used.
BRIEF SUMMARYThe drawbacks and deficiencies of conventional luminaires are overcome or alleviated by providing a luminaire having a first aperture emitting light from a first light member and a second aperture emitting light from a second light member. The luminaire further includes a switch having a first position and a second position configured to modulate a plurality of settings for the first and second light members. A control unit is configured to control the light output from the first and second light members as a function of the switch. An operative source disposed in communication with the control unit is configured to instruct the control unit to operate the luminaire through a plurality of modes.
A further luminaire lens is provided for use in conjunction with a luminaire, the lens having one homogenous component configured to emit a multi-distribution intensity profile. A first half of the lens includes a first input port and a second half of the lens includes a second input port. The first half is made of a first material and a second half is made of a second material such that the same or different materials could be used in the lens.
The above discussed and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following description and drawings.
Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGS.:
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When the mode switch 17 is in a first position (i.e., private mode, ‘P’ hereinafter, or shared mode, ‘S’ hereinafter), (1) control input 13 switches and/or modulates light member 3 output within a first prescribed output range via the internal control circuit 15 and (2) control input 14 switches and/or modulates light member 4 output within a second prescribed output range via the internal control circuit 15, so long as power is supplied to the luminaire 100 via the power input port 20. Power input port 20 could be a receptacle for a 2.1 mm barrel connector. Furthermore, when power is supplied to the luminaire 100 and the mode switch is in the first position (i.e., P or S), signals received via control port 18 are configured to control light member 3 in combination with control input 13. When power is supplied to the luminaire 100 via the power input port 20 and the mode switch 17 is in a second position (i.e., P or S), both control input 13 and control input 14 modulate light member 4 within a third prescribed output range via the internal control circuit 15 and signals received via remote control port 18 control light member 3 output within a fourth prescribed output range via the internal control circuit 15. In all cases (i.e., mode switch 17 being in first and second positions), signals received via remote control port 18 may redefine the output range prescribed for light member 3, light member 4, or both. Furthermore, when power is supplied to the luminaire 100 via the power input port 20 and mode switch 17 is in the second position, some signals received via remote control port 18 could control light member 4 in combination with control input 13 and control input 14 and within the third prescribed output range, or within a predefined output range according to the signals received via control port 18. Signals received via remote control port 18 could be a dimming voltage or a switching voltage, or both. When mode switch 17 is in the second position and there is no remote control connection at control port 18, then the light member 3 will remain at the maximum output defined by the fourth output range so long as power is supplied to the luminaire 100 via the power input port 20.
To achieve optimal thermal operation of light member 3 and light member 4 and/or to limit the power input at power input port 20, the first, second, third, and fourth prescribed output ranges may each be limited by control circuit 15 according to respective prescribed maximum output limits.
Luminaire 100 may include a light sensor that modulates the output of light member 3 via the internal control circuit 15 in combination with or exclusive of dimming signals received via remote control port 18.
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Regarding the standby timer, when the standby timer is running and motion is detected by the motion sensor, the internal control circuit 15 will re-energize whichever light members 3, 4 were turned off when signals from the motion sensor ceased, and the internal control circuit 15 will turn off and reset the standby timer. If the standby timer expires, the internal control circuit 15 will wait for a signal from control input 13 or control input 14 or alternatively, from the remote control port 18 to turn on one or both of the light members 3, 4, depending on the selected first or second position of the mode switch 17. The remote control port 18 could be an RJ11 jack, for example.
The luminaire 100 includes a feature for indicating to a user that the rated useful life of one of the light members 3, 4 has been exhausted and should be replaced. After either of light members 3, 4 has operated for a predetermined number of cumulative hours (e.g., the rated useful life of the light member), the internal control circuit 15 will cause the particular light member to flash each time that specific light member is energized (from the ‘off’ position) until that light member is replaced with a new light member. For example, when light member 3 has operated for a predetermined number of cumulative hours (e.g., the rated useful life of the light member 3), the internal control circuit 15 will cause the light member 3 to flash each time the light member 3 is energized (from the ‘off’ position) until a user replaces light member 3 with a new light member 3, which presumably includes a full rated useful life, and resets the cumulative-hour counter of the control circuit 15 for light member 3.
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Furthermore, when a configuration mode of the internal control circuit is activated via control input 13 or via control input 14 and the mode switch 17 is in the first position, then the user may be able to adjust settings for the first prescribed output range and for the second prescribed output range only. Likewise, when a configuration mode of the internal control circuit is activated via control input 13 or via control input 14 and the mode switch 17 is in the second position, then the user may be able to adjust settings for the third prescribed output range and for the fourth prescribed output range only.
In another preferred embodiment, adjustment of some settings are not available in a first configuration mode of the internal control circuit 15 and are available in a second configuration mode of the internal control circuit 15, the second configuration mode being activated by applying a different series of sequential taps or presses than used to activate the first configuration mode (e.g., nine rapid taps or rapid presses). These may include settings for the maximum output limits for light member 3 and light member 4 in each of the two control modes associated with the positions of mode switch 17, the standby timer period, and the auto-off timer period. Settings for the standby timer period may include one that prevents the timer from expiring (e.g., auto-on is always enabled) and one that prevents the standby timer from operating (e.g., auto-on is disabled). Likewise, settings for the auto-off timer may include one which disables the auto-off timer (e.g., setting the auto-off timer period to zero) as this may be desirable when the control circuit is used in conjunction with a motion sensor that has an integral auto-off timer.
Light member 22 includes a flexible refractive overlay 24 and plurality of LEDs 23 and is associated with housing 60 along mounting planes i-i′ and j-j′ such that housing 60 also serves as a heat transfer member for light member 22. Light member 22 directs light through refractive overlay 24 in the direction of lens 30. Light member 22 includes opposing features 25 that capture opposing edges of flexible refractive overlay 24. Features 25 may be grooves that extend the longitudinal length of light member 22. The unbent width of refractive overlay 24 may exceed the straight line distance between the opposing features causing flexible refractive overlay 24 to assume a curved profile. Dashed profile 27 indicates the position of an alternate refractive overlay having an unbent width that is greater than the straight line distance between opposing features 25 and less than the unbent width of overlay 24. Light rays 33 emitted by the LEDs are refracted by overlay 24 (or overlay 27) according to the angle at which they encounter the overlay. Thus, the angle 05 at which light rays 33 encounter lens 30, and ultimately the direction of light rays emanating from aperture 21, is fashioned according to the selected unbent overlay width. Generally, bending the refractive overlay in one plane results in a broader distribution of light exiting the aperture in the plane without broadening the distribution of light exiting the aperture in the opposing perpendicular plane.
Lens 30 is a homogeneous component with three regions, namely 30a, 30b, and 30c. In another preferred embodiment, lens 30 may have one region or another number of regions. Each region may include unique sets of refractive surface features 32 that determine the ultimate direction 34 of the light rays emanating from each lens section, respectively. Moreover, in accordance with the present disclosure, any region of the lens may be defined by a different material such that the light rays encountering the region are partially or completely absorbed or reflected, or otherwise take on a character 34′ that differs from the ultimate character 34 of light rays that do not encounter the section. In a preferred embodiment, lens 30 provides a widespread, symmetrical “batwing” uplight lighting distribution with reduced low-angle brightness as seen in the upper hemisphere of the candlepower plot shown in
Similarly, light member 42 includes a flexible refractive overlay 44 and a plurality of LEDs 43 and is associated with housing 60 along mounting plane k-k′ such that housing 60 also serves as a heat transfer member for light member 22. Light member 22 directs light through refractive overlay 44 in the direction of lens 50.
Alternatively, in the case of light member 22 or light member 42 or both, flexible refractive overlay 24 and/or flexible refractive overlay 44 may be a rigid refractive overlay.
Lens 50 is advantageously disposed along plane m-m′ at an angle θ6 to downlight aperture 41 which occurs along plane h-h′. This reduces the angle θ10 between the plane of the lens m-m′ and a typical luminaire viewing angle and serves to reduce glare even as lens 50 is configured to produce an asymmetric distribution of light in the direction of the viewer as seen in the lower hemisphere of the candlepower plot shown in
Lens 50 is a homogeneous component with two regions, namely 50a, 50b. In another preferred embodiment, lens 50 may have one region or another number of regions. Sets of refractive surface features 52 and the material associated with each lens section determine the ultimate direction and intensity of the light rays 54, 54′ and 54″ emanating from the lens. Moreover, in accordance with the present disclosure, any region of the lens may be defined by a different material such that the light rays encountering the region are partially or completely absorbed or reflected, or otherwise take on a character 34′ that differs from the ultimate character 34 of light rays that do not encounter the section.
Mounting extension 71 includes control inputs 90 and 92 for modulating the output of light member 22, or light member 44, or both light members 22, 44 via internal control circuit 15. Control inputs 90, 92 could be one or two control inputs. Control inputs 90 and 92 are momentary contact devices but in another embodiment may be capacitive touch surfaces.
In the present embodiment, light member 22, 44 include reflective portions 26 and 46 respectively that direct light rays toward lens 30 and lens 50, respectively. Furthermore, in the present embodiment or in another embodiment, light member 22 may or may not be identical to light member 44 with respect to the plurality of LEDs 23, 43, and/or with respect to refractive overlay 24, 44, and may or may not be like sized and physically interchangeable.
In the present embodiment or in another embodiment, lens 30 may or may not be like sized with identical or respectively unique snap fit details 31, 51 and may or may not be physically interchangeable. In the instant embodiment or in an alternative embodiment, lens 30 may or may not be reversible. This would enable an asymmetric distribution of light.
While the disclosure has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure with out departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
Claims
1. A luminaire comprising:
- a luminaire housing having a first aperture emitting light from a first light member and a second aperture emitting light from a second light member, wherein the first and second light members are separated by a heat transfer member and at least one of the light members is mounted on the heat transfer member;
- a switch having a first position and a second position configured to modulate a plurality of settings for the first and second light members;
- a control unit configured to control the light output from the first and second light members as a function of the switch; and
- an operative source disposed in communication with the control unit and configured to instruct the control unit to operate the luminaire through a plurality of modes.
2. A luminaire comprising:
- a luminaire housing; and
- a lens having one homogenous component configured to emit a multi-distribution profile, wherein a first half of the lens includes a first input port and a second half of the lens includes a second input port, wherein the first half is made of a first material and a second half is made of a second material.
3. The luminaire of claim 2, wherein the first material is the same as that ofthe second material.
4. The luminaire of claim 2, wherein the first material is different from that of the second material.
5. A luminaire comprising:
- a luminaire housing having a first aperture emitting light from a first light member and a second aperture emitting light from a second light member;
- a switch having a first position and a second position configured to modulate a plurality of settings for the first and second light members;
- a control unit configured to control the light output from the first and second light members as a function of the switch;
- an operative source disposed in communication with the control unit and configured to instruct the control unit to operate the luminaire through a plurality of modes; and
- a lens disposed adjacent at least one of the first and second apertures and having one homogenous component configured to emit a multi-distribution profile, wherein a first half of the lens includes a first input port and a second half of the lens includes a second input port, wherein the first half is made of a first material and a second half is made of a second material.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2015
Inventors: Matthew R. BULLARD (Milford, CT), Paul FORD (Orange, CT), David R. PFUND (Woodbridge, CT)
Application Number: 14/586,924